Vincent Kompany’s return to the Manchester City first-team could not prevent another damaging defeat on Sunday.

But the captain’s presence back in the Blues line-up is the arguably the Blues’ best hope of preventing what was supposed to be a glorious farewell to the outgoing Manuel Pellegrini turning into a damp squib.

Winning all four trophies on offer is a huge ask for any team, but if City fail to send the Chilean on his with at least another title, then it will be a devastating blow and leave a question mark over his legacy in a season when the crown is seemingly anyone’s to grab.

Kompany’s presence indisputably makes City a better team.

But it is his attitude as much as his ability that should give Blues fans hope of turning the remaining 12 games into a spectacular comeback story.

Of course, City have pulled of similar feats before, overhauling Manchester United and Liverpool to win in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

Blues aren’t so optimistic this time.

There was an air of gloom about City’s chances following the defeat to Leicester and seemingly little optimism ahead of the visit of Tottenham on Sunday.

Mark Clattenburg following his controversial penalty decision

Defeat didn’t seem to shock many.

The spectre of Pep Guardiola has loomed large over everything City have done since it was announced he will replace Pellegrini next season.

City have won one from three in the time since the Blues boss dropped his bombshell departure news in his pre-Sunderland press conference on February 1 and City quickly confirmed the arrival of the Spaniard moments later.

It has left fans split between writing off a faltering campaign and looking forward to next year - and a sizable group who want the Pep talk put on the backburner until some trophies are in the bag.

Kompany challenges Harry Kane on Sunday

Kompany most definitely isn’t aligning himself with the doom-merchants.

The big Belgian has always been an articulate, passionate proponent of positive thought, whether it his about City’s performances or his own injury battles.

While most of the post-Tottenham talk centred around Mark Clattenburg’s decision to award Spurs that pivotal penalty, Kompany simply moved on and kept his eyes on the prize.

“Eventually we will get a decision going our way and that’s just the way it goes,” he said, his calm, determined demeanour in contrast to Pellegrini’s understandable fury and those writing City off.